News
May 15, 2024Battlefield Project Completed
Visitor access and understanding of one of the most historic landscapes in the country will increase with the recent completion of the $6 million Battlefield Tour Road Improvement Project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. The large-scale construction project in Saratoga National Historical Park focused on making upgrades and increasing accessibility of parking areas, trailheads, walkways, seating, signage, exhibits and viewing areas along the popular 10-mile-long route.
A celebration to mark the project’s completion will take place at Tour Stop 2 (Neilson’s Farm) on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to join the numerous partners, people and stakeholders who made this significant project possible. The ceremony will be followed by opportunities to explore the battlefield and speak with park staff at Tour Stop 2, Tour Stop 6 (Freeman’s Farm) and Tour Stop 10 (Return to Saratoga).
As the country approaches the upcoming 250th anniversary commemorations of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 and of the Battles of Saratoga in 2027, the improvements will provide visitors with a better understanding of the battles and their vital role in securing American independence. Prior to the project, the Tour Road and its 10 tour stops, which are the primary way that most people visit the historic battlefield grounds, had been largely unchanged for nearly 50 years.
The parking areas and walkways at all of the tour stops have been revamped to meet universal standards for accessibility, including seating with companion seating, new improved exhibits, and audio description provided via an app. Sixty modern exhibits have replaced informational waysides that were well beyond their intended design life. They have incorporated features including the use of added color contrast, appropriate fonts and font size, tactile bronze relief maps, touchable replica items, braille, and proper installation heights that increase accessibility and comprehension for all visitors. The exhibits also convey updated information about the battles, landscape, participants, and perspectives to better connect visitors with the meaning and importance of the sites.
The park preserves, protects, and interprets the sites associated with the battles, siege, and surrender of the British forces at Saratoga. It was here in September and October 1777, during the American War for Independence, American troops battled and defeated the British invasion force. A British Army surrendered, for the first time in history, on October 17, 1777. This crucial victory secured essential foreign recognition and support and boosted the morale of the American forces, making it a turning point of the American Revolution.
GAOA is part of a concerted effort to address extensive deferred maintenance and repair needs in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA provides the National Park Service with up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors.
